Seshoka said the miners were trapped in a cramped space where temperatures could reach 30 to 40 degrees Celsius.

Peter Bailey, another NUM official, told Al Jazeera: "The unfortunate situation is that nobody really recognises the emotional trauma that people are going through under these circumstances, because many of these mine workers cannot get over a situation like this."

Al Jazeera also spoke to Amelia Soares, a Harmony Gold spokerperson, who said: "The mine happens to be one of our new projects, so it is well ventilated. There are water points at all the levels and also medical facilities, for the workers".

She said: "Once we get the rock-and-ventilation shaft going, then we will be able to hoist 300 people per hour.

"We have also sent down paramedics to ensure that everybody is in good health and that no medication is required. Management will ensure that oxygen is pumped throughout the night until everyone is on the surface.

Safety concerns

Gold mine operations in South Africa have come under scrutiny over the past few months following a series of accidents as gold producers mine ever deeper to offset lower production and reap the benefits of a sharply higher bullion price.

Gold output in South Africa, the world's biggest gold producer, has tumbled by over 50 per cent over the past decade.

High-grade mines are running out of ore and companies are grappling with more difficult and high-cost underground operations.

South African gold mines are the deepest in the world and unions have often criticised companies for not doing enough to ensure workers' safety.

The government briefly closed an AngloGold Ashanti mine in July after two miners were killed in a rock fall.